Promoting Healthy Screen Habits: The Impact of Self-Control Awareness on Commitment Device Adoption

Last registered on June 09, 2023
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Promoting Healthy Screen Habits: The Impact of Self-Control Awareness on Commitment Device Adoption
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0011313
Initial registration date
April 21, 2023

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
April 26, 2023, 5:16 PM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
June 09, 2023, 7:47 PM EDT

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

Country
United States of America
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Ferdous Sardar
Affiliation
Bryant University
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
Completed
Start date
2023-04-20
End date
2023-05-31
Keywords
Behavior
Additional Keywords
Self control, commitment device, screen time, social media
JEL code(s)
D12, D83, D91, L86
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Studies have shown that excessive screen time is negatively associated with physical and mental health and academic performance. While most individuals have access to soft commitment devices designed to help regulate screen time, these tools are often underutilized. This study aims to investigate the effect of raising awareness of self-control issues on the adoption of commitment devices and subsequent changes in screen behavior, academic performance, and overall wellbeing of college students. Participants will be randomly assigned for one of two treatment group: the first group will receive an email encouraging the use of soft commitment devices to reduce screen time, while the second group will receive the same email with additional information about self-control problems. Using a combination of survey and administrative data, the study will assess the impact of these interventions on screen behavior and related outcomes.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Sardar, Ferdous. 2023. "Promoting Healthy Screen Habits: The Impact of Self-Control Awareness on Commitment Device Adoption." AEA RCT Registry. June 09. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.11313-2.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Email encouraging students to use soft commitment device and raising awareness to limit screen time.
Intervention Start Date
2023-04-20
Intervention End Date
2023-05-08

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Adoption of soft commitment device
Screen time
Academic performance
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Mental health
Self control
Social media use
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Participants will be randomly assigned for one of two treatment group: the first group will receive an email encouraging the use of soft commitment devices to reduce screen time, while the second group will receive the same email with additional information about self-control problems.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Randomization done using Stata
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
No cluster
Sample size: planned number of observations
~3000
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Control: ~650
Treatment 1: ~1200
Treatment 2: ~1200
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Bryant University
IRB Approval Date
2023-03-23
IRB Approval Number
2023-0323
Analysis Plan

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information

Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials